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Welcome

In early October, 2010 the American Kennel Club announced a program to recognize breeders of pure bred dogs who health register their breeding dogs as recommended by their national breed club, who register all their puppies whether they are pets or show dogs, who actively engage in the sport of dogs and are members of breed clubs, all breed clubs, and other dog organizations. After receiving my third invitation to apply from AKC, I submitted an application which required to list my AKC champions that I have bred as well as provide an opportunity for AKC to verify my health certifications. Within a few weeks, I received my approval letter along with the above image that includes my breed so that I may include it on my website. I am glad that I applied and also glad that AKC is promoting the serious breeder who is proud of their pedigrees, their breeding program, and the health and soundness of their dogs evidenced by their documented health registrations in the database from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and Canine Eye Registry Foundation in addition to their performance record in the ring. Here is the current list of AKC Breeders of Merit, which is updated each Friday.

My interest in this breed began in 1978, and I have been showing Papillons since 1991; but first and foremost, I was a teacher of high school English and public speaking for 35 years. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Arts Degree in Speech and Theatre from Northeastern Illinois University. For most of my 35 years in the classroom, I taught argumentation and persuasion in oral and also in written form. I was a long distance commuter during my teaching career and showed my Papillons on the weekends throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan. I retired from teaching in 2004.

After years of showing and reading about the breed, canine health, as well as development of a breeding plan, I bred my first litter from my first two champions in 1995 and finished the title on my first home bred champion in 1996. I have found these sound breeding practices to work as my guide. In 1999 I began my interest in earnest and acquired a couple English imports from well known kennels . By that time it was apparent that I had become smitten by the breed and the showring as well.

Since then I have put champions on 18 dogs that I had bred or owned. My dogs have proven their versatility in the confirmation ring, as well as obedience and agility, but I carefully screen all applicants and will only place dogs that make a good match for the lifestyle and family makeup that best suits the dog. I will only place dogs in agility homes if they remain an athlete in training for at least 6 months that develops athletic legs, strong cardiac for endurance with daily swimming and a canine performance food.

My interest in dogs began in obedience training with a couple Samoyeds. A few years later, I learned the proper way of using the Kohler Method of Dog Training in an extraordinarily well run class in Chicago in 1981 where I enrolled my first ever Papillon. She graduated number 1 in the class after 8 weeks by completing her off leash work with a qualifying score of 196. I later trained a Yorkie who also was the top scorer with a 198, two more Samoyeds, and helped an Akita owner --but never competed. While my experience in obedience training was invaluable, I eventually decided to try conformation, and it was the right niche for me.

The challenge of learning the role of genetics and the "puzzle factor" of breeding a better dog and learning to adjust to the bumps on the way has been a fascination for me. The art of showing a dog in the conformation ring, where a dog is evaluated in a competitive environment that takes into account conditioning, breed type, as well as presentation has become a passion .

I also enjoy the fact that while there are behaviors and physical traits that are unique to a breed, each individual dog also has its unique personality that cannot be overlooked. For that reason, some truly phenomenal dogs just do not have the personality for the rigors of weekly traveling to dog shows, while others who may miss the mark for physical traits have a personality that requires that it not be relegated to merely a life on someone's couch or in the kitchen for the rest of its life. Paying attention to those differences and making adjustments to accomodate the dog are important for me.

I am grateful to the breeders who helped me get started and offered their tireless support over the years, yet had the confidence in me to set my own path. Special thanks to four long established breeders whose English bloodlines have been a remarkable addtion to the start of my breeding program: